Timing is Everything (Hidden Treasure #1)

I simply love reading Scripture, especially in my devotional Bible. I love how quoted sections of author's books are interspersed throughout my Bible with related verses of the Word. It always brings something to my attention that I never "saw" before, even though I've read that particular passage several times. But more importantly, I love how the Holy Spirit brings to mind another part of Scripture that ties in perfectly...as well as other authors whose books I've read, from my collection of book quotes (although my collection is but dust on the bookcase of friends like Clif or Jan ... admittedly, because I mostly go to the library!)

Now...this little gem of hidden treasure came out of nowhere, as is often the case ;o} ! You know those are the ones the Lord really wants you to find...you know, yet another one of those "God things" that happens when you turn to part of the Bible you weren't intending to read, but you were drawn to it! (I love those times the best!)

Habakkuk 2:3 ~ The the Lord replied...For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

which reminded me of ...

Ecclesiastes 3:11 ~ He has made everthying beautiful in its time.

which took me to...

Psalm 5:3 ~ ...in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation (see that?...expecting your answer to come...not hoping, but expecting!)

and then progressed into ...

Psalm 37:7 ~ Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him... (v. 28) For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.


Judith Couchman writes in Lord, Have You Forgotten Me? Thirty Devotions to Encouarge You When Life Lets You Down, "There's a mystique about timing. When it's right, it's fabulous. When it's wrong, it's a disaster. It takes listening to the inner self to make it work. We know he's capable of doing anything, but we get impatient waiting for God. We forget that he waits for the right timing too. In fact, he knows perfect timing, even though it looks illogical to us. His ways are not our ways, and neither are his timetables our timetables. But when we wait for his timing, nothing can compare with its abiding impact on us."

And Ruth Graham says in In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart, "...do not expect instant results. Simply expect God's results, for his results are always good."

Then I was reminded of a post by someone I follow that said, "Trusting God means we don't have to have all the answers." And what hit me right upside the head (ya know...Gibbs to Tony, NCIS thing) is...it's just that simple, just that black & white, no gray area...we either trust Him, or we don't! If we're going to believe one thing in Scripture, then we have to believe it all, or none of it is worth believing.

I believe Karen Kingsbury said (I forgot to write down the author & book when I wrote down this quote, but I believe I'm remembering correctly), "God doesn't forget any of us. We can't possibly know the good the Lord has in store for us, for His love and grace know no end if we will just trust - trust until it hurts and the Lord has an opportunity to work in our lives."

In His loving grace ~ Merana